Master of Surgical Research

The Master of Surgical Research at Deakin University is designed for medical professionals seeking to advance their expertise in the field of surgical research. The course provides a deep focus on developing, conducting, and disseminating surgical research relevant to modern healthcare in Australia and globally. Through a comprehensive curriculum, students explore both the theoretical foundations and the practical skill sets necessary for high-level surgical research, covering research methodology, critical evaluation of current literature, biostatistics, ethics in surgery, and advanced surgical sciences.

This master’s degree is structured over two years of full-time study and is awarded upon successful completion of units totalling the required number of credit points, as listed in the official Deakin University handbook. Students engage in a blend of core units and elective studies, allowing for personalisation of learning to match interests or career needs. A significant feature of this program is the capstone project or research thesis, in which students undertake independent, supervised research addressing a key problem or challenge in surgery.

Australian master’s coursework degrees often offer opportunities for work-integrated learning where relevant; students may be able to align their research with clinical or laboratory environments, fostering direct industry or research engagement. The course supports development of high-level research, analytical, and project management skills applicable across surgical and medical contexts. Participants are usually medical graduates or practitioners seeking further specialisation, those planning a future in academic, clinical, or translational research, or professionals aiming for leadership roles in surgical innovation.

International students must demonstrate English proficiency, typically at a standard higher than general postgraduate requirements, in line with the nature of healthcare studies. As with other degrees in Australia, students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and on graduation may be eligible to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) through the post-study work stream. Candidates should confirm specific admission requirements and course structure on the official Deakin University and CRICOS pages.

• Academic researcher in surgery or medicine
• Surgical clinical trial coordinator
• Hospital or healthcare research manager
• Policy adviser in surgical research or medical innovation
• Higher degree researcher (PhD pathways in surgery and medicine)
• Roles within Australian healthcare providers, medical schools, and research institutes